Fence clip locking tool

ABSTRACT

A fence clip locking tool for bending a wire clip to secure a fencing wire to a fence post includes an elongated rod and an angularly projecting handle. The elongated rod includes an arcuate portion for engaging the wire clip. The handle includes a center shaft, a rotatable handle cover and an end cap for retaining the cover in a longitudinally fixed position relative to the shaft. A method of using the tool includes inserting the rod through a loop opening defined by the pre-positioned clip and swinging the rod from an initial position to a final position.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to tools for fastening fencingwire to fence posts, and more particularly, to a fence clip locking toolconfigured to facilitate bending of a fence clip, when the clip is usedto attach fencing wire to a post.

2. Discussion of Prior Art

Wire fencing is commonly used to provide a visible identifier ofproperty boundaries, discourage trespassing, and control the ingress andegress of animals. These fences usually consist of pluralities of fenceposts, fencing wires and wire clips that function to secure the wires tothe posts.

Conventional methods of installation and maintenance of wire fencingtypically include the highly repetitive and unconventional use of commontools, such as screwdrivers and pliers, for bending the clips around thewire. However, the unconventional use of these tools during fencingapplications often present ergonomic and efficiency problems. Theconfiguration of these tools often results in undesirable and sometimespainful contact between the user and adjacent wires. Furthermore, theunintended use of these tools can often damage the tools or lead toearly degradation. In response to these concerns, specialized tools havebeen developed for installing the wire clips. However, these specializedtools often present complex modes of operation and cumbersome structurethat must be repeatedly positioned and supported by the user.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Responsive to these and other problems, the present invention concernsan improved fence clip locking tool. Among other things, the tool isuseful for bending a wire clip around an adjacent fencing wire. The toolis further useful for providing a more ergonomic configuration thatreduces the transfer of friction to the user.

A first aspect of the invention concerns a fence clip locking tool forbending a clip to secure a fencing wire to a fence post. The fence cliplocking tool includes an elongated rod presenting opposite spaced apartends and a handle angularly projecting from the rod. The rod isconfigured to engage the clip between the ends and to facilitate bendingof the clip during securement of the fencing wire to the fencing post.The handle includes a rotatable handle cover to be grasped by a user.

A second aspect of the invention concerns a fence clip locking tool forbending a clip to secure a fencing wire to a fence post. The fence cliplocking tool includes a handle for grasping by a user and an elongatedrod angularly projecting from the handle. The rod presents oppositespaced apart ends and an arcuate clip engaging portion extending betweenthe ends. The clip-engaging portion is configured to engage the clip andfacilitate bending of the clip during securement of the fencing wire tothe fencing post.

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment andthe accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Several embodiments of the invention are described in detail below withreference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fence clip locking tool constructed inaccordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a fencepost, a plurality of fencing wires, and two fence clips, particularlyillustrating the tool in the initial position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tool, post, wires, and clips asshown in FIG. 1, particularly illustrating the tool in an intermediateposition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of most, but not all, of the structureshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, particularly illustrating the tool in the finalposition;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tool, particularly illustrating thearcuate clip-engaging portion of the rod;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the tool, wires, wire clip and fencepost taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1, particularly illustrating the tooland loop end section of the clip in the initial position in solid line,and the tool and loop end section in an intermediate position in phantomline;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tool, wires, wire clip, andfence post shown in FIG. 5, particularly illustrating the tool and loopend section in another intermediate position in phantom line, and thetool and loop end section in the final position in solid line;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the tool, wires, wire clip and fencepost taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 1, particularly illustrating the tooland hook end section of the clip in the initial position; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a fence clip locking tool constructed inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present invention,particularly illustrating the linear rod configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an improved fence clip locking tool 10 constructedin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention andconfigured to facilitate the bending of a plurality of wire clips 12around a pre-positioned fencing wire 14 by a user (not shown). The wireclips 12 are configured to secure the fencing wire 14 to a plurality offencing posts 16 to effect the installation or repair of a typical wirefence. FIG. 1 shows the tool 10 in an initial position prior to bendinga clip, FIG. 3 shows the tool 10 in a final position after bending, andFIG. 2 shows an intermediate position between the initial and finalpositions.

As illustrated, the preferred fencing post 16 is a T-shaped fence postincluding a main panel 18 having first and second faces 20,22, anorthogonal bisector panel 24 projecting from the longitudinal mid lineof the first face 20, and a plurality of equally spaced projections 26on the second face 22. The projections 22 of interconnected posts 16 arepreferably aligned so as to guide the lateral placement of the wiresbetween the posts. The preferred fencing wire 14 is a smooth cylindricalwire of standard fencing gauge (e.g., ten to sixteen gauge wire). Thewire 14 is preferably pre-tensioned to a predetermined tensile force toprovide a more rigidly taught barrier. Most preferably, the wire 14 ispre-tensioned to a tensile force within the range of about two to threehundred pounds.

It is within the ambit of the present invention, however, to use thefence clip locking tool 10 to fasten alternative fencing wires to fenceposts 16, to fasten fencing wire 14 to alternative fence posts, or anyother combination thereof. For example, the tool 10 may be used tofasten barbed wire or diamond wire to a wooden post.

The wire clips 12 are preferably conventional in construction, and itshall therefore be sufficient to explain that each clip 12 presents abent cylindrical clip bar extending between first and second clip ends.The clip 12 is configured to at least partially encircle the post 16 inthe clip fastening position shown in FIG. 1. Adjacent the first clipend, the clip bar is further bent to present a U-shaped hook end section28 (see FIG. 7). The hook end section 28 engages the wire 14 in thefastening position by insertably receiving the wire 14 within theU-shape. Adjacent the second clip end, the clip bar is further bent topresent an overhanging loop end section 30 (see FIGS. 1-3 and 5). Theloop end section 30 presents a first U-shaped loop bend 32, which liessubstantially in a plane that is generally parallel to the wire 14 whenthe clip 12 is in the fastening position. In the fastening position, thefirst U-shaped loop bend 32 extends downward from the wire 14 andtowards the user. The loop end section 30 overhangs the wire 14, so asto cooperatively form a loop opening (not shown) with the wire 14. Thewire clip 12 is malleable so that the loop section 30 can be bent by theuser to present a bend 34 that engages the wire 14 similarly to the hookend section 28. Thus, in the final position, it is appreciated that thehook and loop end sections 28,30 present latching clip ends thatcooperatively exhort a holding force upon the wire 14 to thereby securethe wire 14 against the post 16.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-4, the fence clip locking tool 10 generallyincludes an elongated rod 36 and a handle 38 extending angularly fromthe rod 36. More preferably, the handle 38 extends transversely from therod 36, such that the rod 36 and handle 38 define an angle between therange of about twenty to one-hundred and sixty degrees. Most preferably,the handle 38 orthogonally extends from the rod 36. The angularorientation of the handle 38 relative to the rod 36 facilitates theapplication of the bending torque by the user, as will subsequently bedescribed herein.

The preferred rod 36 presents an elongated cylindrical bar that definesa distal rod end 40, a handle end 42, a rod diameter, a longitudinal rodlength, and an arcuate clip-engaging portion 44. The rod 36 ispreferably solid along the entire rod length. However, the rod 36 maydefine an open inner space along at least a portion of the rod length,wherein a free end of the wire clip can be inserted to further bend thewire clip. The rod 36 more preferably presents a rod length within therange of about two to ten inches. Most preferably, the rod length isabout five inches. The rod 36 presents a sufficient diameter and isformed of material having sufficient strength to bear the anticipatedbending torque applied by the user. More preferably, the rod 36 presentsa diameter not less than one-fourth of an inch and is formed of coldrolled carbon steel, although other high strength materials, such as ahigh grade plastic, can be utilized. The maximum diameter of the rod 36is limited by the size of the loop opening.

As previously mentioned, the preferred rod 36 also defines an arcuateportion 44 that extends between the distal and handle ends 40,42. Thearcuate portion 44 is dimensioned to facilitate the user to achieve afull one-hundred eighty degree swinging motion (see FIGS. 5 and 6),where the distance between adjacent vertically spaced wires is less thanthe rod length or where other barriers are present. More preferably, theportion 44 presents an arc having a radius within a range of about sixto twenty-four inches. The illustrated arcuate portion 44 is definedalong the entire rod length. However, the arcuate portion 44 can bedefined by a fraction of the rod 36, and can be presented adjacenteither the distal or handle end. More preferably, the arcuate portion 44presents an arc-length that is not less than seventy-five percent of therod length.

The handle 38 includes a center shaft 46, a rotatable cover 48, and anend cap 50. The preferred center shaft 46 is integrally formed with therod 36, so that the shaft and rod present a bent unitary bar. Thus, thecenter shaft preferably presents a similar cross-section and is formedof similar material to the rod 36. The center shaft 46 preferablyextends from the handle end 42 of the rod 36, and presents a handlelength sufficient to enable the user to easily grasp the handle 38. Morepreferably, the handle length is within the range of about two inches tosix inches; and most preferably the handle length is about three incheslong.

The rotatable cover 48 presents a tubular body that is open along itsentire length and at first and second cover ends. The cover 48 definesan inside diameter that is slightly larger than the diameter of thecenter shaft 46, so that the center shaft 46 can be insertably androtatably received within the cover. The preferred cover 48 is freelyrotatable on the shaft 46. If desired, the inside diameter may besufficiently sized to further receive a lubricant layer interposedbetween the cover 48 and shaft 46. The cover 48 defines an outsidediameter that enables the comfortable grasping of the handle 38 by theuser. More preferably, for a one-fourth inch diameter shaft 46, thecover 48 presents an inside diameter not less than five-sixteenth of aninch, and an outside diameter within the range of about three-quartersof an inch to about one inch. The cover 48 presents a length slightlyshorter than the length of the center shaft 46, so that a small fraction(not shown) of the inserted center shaft 46 is left uncovered when thecover 48 is placed adjacent the rod 36. The small fraction issufficiently sized to enable the attachment of the end cap 50 thatretains the cover 48 in a generally fixed position along thelongitudinal length of the center shaft 46. A washer 52 is preferablyprovided to snugly retain the cover 48 in the desired position on theshaft 46. The end cap 50 and washer 52 are commonly known in the art,and therefore will not be further described herein. However, it ispreferred that the cover 48, end cap 50, and washer 52 be formed ofnon-conductive material, such as wood, rubber or plastic, so as toprotect the user from electric current, if any, within the wire 14.

Alternatively, it is certainly within the ambit of the present inventionfor the tool, as otherwise described herein, to provide a linearlyconfigured rod that does not present an arcuate portion as shown in FIG.8.

In operation, the wire clip 12 is placed in the fastening position,wherein the hook end section 28 engages and the loop end section 30overhangs the pre-positioned and preferably tensioned fencing wire 14.The tool 10 is placed in the initial position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and5, wherein the handle 38 is projected away from the fence post 16, thearcuate portion 44 of the rod 36 is bowed outward toward the user, andthe distal end 40 of the rod 36 is inserted into the loop opening aninserted distance. The user then swings the handle 38 along a preferredarc defined by the initial, intermediate and final positions shown inFIGS. 1-3 and 5-6. Where necessary to avoid obstruction, as the handle38 is swung the user can progressively insert the rod 36 into the loopopening, so that the inserted distance gradually increases and the arcdefined by the handle forms a spiral about the wire 14 (compare FIGS. 5and 6).

As the handle 32 is swung, the arcuate portion of the rod 30 pivotsabout a contact point with the clip 12, while the distal end of the rodengages the wire 14. The wire 14 presents a bending capacity greaterthan the bending strength of the clip 12, so that the clip 12 bends asthe handle 38 is swung downward towards the final position. It isappreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the lever armprovided by the rod 36 presents a mechanical advantage between the forceapplied by the user and the resultant bending force applied to the clip12, that is proportional to the rod length and the inserted distance. Itis further appreciated that, the static friction between the handlecover 48 and the center shaft 46 is less than the static frictionbetween the user and the cover 48, so that the cover 48 slides along thecontact surface between the cover 48 and center shaft 46, and therebyprovides rolling engagement between the user and shaft 46.

After the handle 38 is swung to the final position, the tool 10 iswithdrawn from the loop opening. The user can then proceed to a secondintersected post to further secure wire 14, by placing a new clip in thefastening position and repeating the steps as described above.Preferably, adjacent wires are staggeredly fastened at every third postalong the fence, so as to present the wire clip pattern shown in FIG. 1.

The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used asillustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense ininterpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modificationsto the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readilymade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention.

The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine ofEquivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of thepresent invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departingfrom but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A fence clip locking tool for bending a clip to secure a fencing wireto a fence post, said fence clip locking tool comprising: an elongatedrod presenting opposite spaced apart ends and being configured to engagethe clip between the ends and to facilitate bending of the clip duringsecurement of the fencing wire to the fencing post; and a handleangularly projecting from the rod, said handle including a rotatablehandle cover to be grasped by a user.
 2. The tool as claimed in claim 1,said handle projecting from one of the rod ends.
 3. The tool as claimedin claim 1, said handle and rod being generally transverse relative toone another.
 4. The tool as claimed in claim 3, said handle projectinggenerally perpendicularly relative to the rod to present anapproximately ninety-degree angle therebetween.
 5. The tool as claimedin claim 1, said rod further presenting an arcuate clip engaging portionbetween the ends.
 6. The tool as claimed in claim 5, said rod presentinga rod length, said portion presenting an arc-length not less than aboutseventy-five percent of the rod length.
 7. The tool as claimed in claim6, said rod length being approximately equal to five inches.
 8. The toolas claimed in claim 1, said handle including a center shaft presentingopposite spaced apart handle ends, wherein one of said handle ends isadjacent the rod, said cover being rotatably supported by the centershaft.
 9. The tool as claimed in claim 8, said handle further includingan end cap removably attached to the handle end opposite from said oneof said handle ends, said cap being configured to cooperatively retainthe handle cover on the center shaft.
 10. The tool as claimed in claim8, said center shaft and rod being integrally formed to cooperativelypresent a bent unitary bar.
 11. The tool as claimed in claim 10, saidbar being formed of cold rolled carbon steel.
 12. The tool as claimed inclaim 1, said handle being about three inches in length.
 13. The tool asclaimed in claim 1, said handle cover being formed of non-conductivematerial.
 14. The tool as claimed in claim 13, said handle coverconsisting essentially of wood, rubber, or plastic.
 15. A method forfastening a fencing wire to a fence post using the tool as claimed inclaim 1, said method comprising the steps of: (a) placing a fencing wireadjacent the fencing post at a desired position and orientation; (b)placing a yieldably rigid clip, having oppositely spaced latching endsections, in a partially circumscribing relationship with the fence postand adjacent the fencing wire, so that one of the latching end sectionsengages the wire and the other end sections forms a loop opening withthe wire; (c) inserting the rod into the loop opening; and (d) exhortinga bending force upon the handle to swing the rod and thereby bend thewire clip to secure the fencing wire to the fence post.
 16. The methodas claimed in claim 15, step (a) including the step of tensioning thefencing wire.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 15, step (d) includingthe step of swinging the rod about an arc of about one-hundred-eightydegrees.
 18. The method as claimed in claim 15, step (d) including thestep of progressively inserting the rod into the loop opening, while therod is swung.
 19. A fence clip locking tool for bending a clip to securea fencing wire to a fence post, said fence clip locking tool comprising:a handle for grasping by a user; and an elongated rod angularlyprojecting from the handle, said rod presenting opposite spaced apartends and an arcuate clip engaging portion extending between the ends,said clip-engaging portion being configured to engage the clip andfacilitate bending of the clip during securement of the fencing wire tothe fencing post.
 20. The tool as claimed in claim 19, said handleprojecting from one of the rod ends.
 21. The tool as claimed in claim19, said handle and rod being generally transverse relative to oneanother.
 22. The tool as claimed in claim 21, said handle projectinggenerally perpendicularly relative to the rod to present anapproximately ninety-degree angle therebetween.
 23. The tool as claimedin claim 19, said rod presenting a longitudinal rod length, said portionpresenting an arc-length not less than about seventy-five percent of therod length.
 24. The tool as claimed in claim 23, said rod length beingapproximately equal to five inches.
 25. The tool as claimed in claim 19,said handle including a center shaft and a handle cover supported by thecenter shaft, said center shaft presenting opposite spaced apart handleends, wherein one of said handle ends is adjacent the rod, said coverbeing rotatable relative to the center shaft.
 26. The tool as claimed inclaim 25, said handle further including an end cap removably attached tothe handle end opposite from said one of said handle ends, said capbeing configured to cooperatively retain the handle cover on the centershaft.
 27. The tool as claimed in claim 25, said center shaft and rodbeing integrally formed to cooperatively present a bent unitary bar. 28.The tool as claimed in claim 27, said bar being formed of cold rolledcarbon steel.
 29. The tool as claimed in claim 19, said handle eachbeing about three inches in length.
 30. The tool as claimed in claim 25,said handle cover being formed of non-conductive material.
 31. The toolas claimed in claim 30, said handle cover consisting essentially ofwood, rubber, or plastic.
 32. A method for fastening a fencing wire to afence post using the tool as claimed in claim 19, said method comprisingthe steps of: (a) placing a fencing wire adjacent the fencing post at adesired position and orientation; (b) placing a yieldably rigid clip,having oppositely spaced latching end sections, in a partiallycircumscribing relationship with the fence post and adjacent the fencingwire, so that one of the latching end sections engages the wire and theother end sections forms a loop opening with the wire; (c) inserting therod into the loop opening so that the arcuate portion engages the clip;and (d) exhorting a bending force upon the handle to swing the rod andthereby bend the wire clip to secure the fencing wire to the fence post.33. The method as claimed in claim 32, step (a) including the step oftensioning the fencing wire.
 34. The method as claimed in claim 32, step(d) including the step of swinging the rod about an arc of aboutone-hundred-eighty degrees.
 35. The method as claimed in claim 32, step(d) including the step of progressively inserting the rod into the loopopening, while the rod is swung.